Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday laid the foundation stone of CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, formed after the merging of CSIR-NISCAIR and CSIR-NISTADS, a step aimed at further strengthening science communication. He said the purpose of the merger is to combine the strength of the two institutes in a synergistic way with a vision to become a globally respected think tank and resource centre for understanding Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy research and communication. Vardhan emphasised that evidence-driven policy will play a crucial role in making Aatma-nirbhar Bharat a reality driven by Science and Technology, and innovation.